Vikings going back to QB Nick Mullens for must-win game against Lions

The Minnesota Vikings will be going back to Nick Mullens for their must-win Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions.

“Nick has been very effective moving the team. We’ve been very explosive as an offense when he’s been in there,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said Wednesday. “Nick knows that the one area that we must focus on is the possession of the football and not giving the football away.”

After the Green Bay Packers built up 23-3 halftime lead on Sunday night, Mullens replaced Jaren Hall at quarterback and went 13-for-22 for 113 yards and a touchdown in the 33-10 loss.

This will be Mullens’ third start for the Vikings this season. His last one was what led to O’Connell to turn to Hall for Week 17. The Christmas Eve game against Lions ended with Mullens throwing for 411 yards but also four interceptions in a 30-24 defeat.

This is the fifth quarterback change O’Connell has made since Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles tendon in late October.

While Sunday’s regular-season finale is must-win, a victory doesn’t mean the Vikings will clinch a playoff spot. They will need plenty of help from the two scenarios where the postseason is a possibility.

The Vikings will need to win and hope for losses by the Packers, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers or win and hope the Packers, Seahawks, and New Orleans Saints lose. If neither happens, it will be the third time in four season they will have missed the playoffs.

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-going-back-to-qb-nick-mullens-for-must-win-game-against-lions-202518020.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-01-03 20:25:18

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.